Mu Run took another sip. "Sister Cai is very good at brewing tea. Where are you from?"
“I am originally from Minzhou. My parents died when I was young, and my aunt sold me to a brothel trafficker. The trafficker died of a sudden illness when he passed by Chongyang Inn. I and several other girls who were also sold or abducted by the trafficker were sent to Bianyun Village by Manager Yang, who was also Cai Mama’s husband. I grew up in Bianyun Village.”
"Since you still remember things from your childhood, haven't you thought about going home?" Mu Run didn't press the matter about why the boy suddenly fell ill and died as soon as he arrived at Chongyang Inn... Back then, Chongyang Inn was a bandit outpost. Even legitimate merchants would lose money going there, let alone kidnappers who were sent to brothels. They shouldn't even think about surviving.
Xiao Lai: "No. This servant doesn't want to be sold a second time."
"You're quite perceptive," Mu Run chuckled, then continued examining the jade tea tree, asking, "Isn't it beautiful?"
“Beautiful, just like the real thing,” Xiao Lai replied truthfully.
Mu Run's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at a rather hidden, gnarled spot at the base of the tree, where a string of words was carved—Fu Yunchen, Mid-Autumn of the Sixth Year of Chongming.
Huh? Could it be that he carved this tea tree himself?
So he didn't attend the moon-worship ceremony today because he was rushing to finish this?
Thinking of this, her gaze towards the tea trees held even more affection.
"Xiao Lai, how old are you this year?"
"Your Majesty, this servant is nineteen years old."
"Oh? You can leave the palace and get married now."
"This servant does not intend to get married. This servant wants to study hard, participate in the imperial examination, and be like Prefect Liu of Huozhou."
"You mean Xiao Huan?" Mu Run thought of Liu Xiao Huan. She had also served as a palace maid for a period of time before joining the army and achieving remarkable feats. After the establishment of the imperial examination for women, she became the top scholar in the first women's examination.
The journey may seem glorious and dazzling, but behind it lies danger, especially on the battlefield, where a single misstep could cost you your life.
Xiao Lai said, "Lord Liu is someone I admire. Even if I can't become like Lord Liu in the end, I will do my best to get closer to him."
“But Xiao Huan got married, and it didn’t affect her becoming an official.” Mu Run walked to the imperial desk, sat down on the dragon throne, and looked at Xiao Lai, whose eyes were firm and bright.
Without hesitation, Xiao Lai replied, "The reason why Lord Bai and Lord Liu were able to come together is because of their shared careers. I also want a marriage with someone like them, but such a marriage is destined to be hard to find, like a pie falling from the sky. So even if I can't find one, I won't care. Becoming a female official is my only goal, and I am willing to give everything for it."
As Mu Run listened to Xiao Lai's words, the smile in his eyes grew even wider. "Since you have this determination, then work hard. Next year will be the third women's imperial examination. You don't have much time left, so work hard."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will do my utmost."
"Okay. I'll ask Sister Cai to arrange an easy job for me so I can have more time to study."
"This servant will not delay serving Your Majesty."
"Go."
"Yes, this servant will take her leave."
After Xiao Lai left, Mu Run was in a very good mood.
The women of this world, just as she had hoped, have begun to change.
"mother--"
Before seeing Huanhuan, one hears her voice.
Mu Run looked at the half-open window, from which the voice was coming, and replied, "What's wrong?"
"We caught a thief!" It was Tuan Tuan's voice, sounding a little excited.
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